Coalbed Methane / Unconventional Gas
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Conference

 
 
2003 10 22-24
Fifth Annual Unconventional Gas and
Coalbed Methane Conference
Invitation   Agenda
New Program/Agenda/Exhibitors (870 KB)

Keynote Lunch Presentation - “Balancing Natural Gas Policy Fueling the Demands of a Growing Economy”, Bob Howard PDF (695 KB)

 
Date:
October 22-24, 2003		   Location:
The Westin Hotel
4th Ave. and 3rd St. S.W.
Calgary, Alberta, Canada		  
AGENDA

Wednesday
Oct. 22, 2003
Sponsored by Halliburton Energy Services
07:30 Registration, continental breakfast, exhibit area opens
  08:30   Introductions, Michael Gatens, Chairman of the Canadian Society for Unconventional Gas (CSUG)
Gas Shales – Chairs: Marc Bustin, University of British Columbia; Michael Gatens, MGV Energy
  08:45   Shale Gas Potential of Selected Shale Formations in the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin, Basim Faraj, MGV Energy
Geological and geochemical evaluation of the shale gas potential of five shale formations within the WCSB is discussed. A cumulative adsorbed GIP calculations for the Wilrich, Duvernay, Montney, Doig and Doig Phosphate formations suggests in situ resources of 860 Tcf. New data suggest that the shale gas potential of the basin is staggering and may contain a GIP resource of tens of thousands of Tcf.
  09:15   Contrasting Core Analysis Methods for Tight Gas Shale, John Kieschnick, TerraTek
A comparative look at conventional and unconventional techniques and data. A history of the development of unconventional tight rock analysis techniques is presented.
  09:45   Comparing Fracture Geometry in the Barnett Shale from Horizontal and Vertical Wellbores, Kevin Fisher, Pinnacle Technologies
Fracture Diagnostics 120 are playing an ever increasing role in optimizing recovery of natural gas from unconventional reservoirs. Diagnostic tools such as micro seismic and tilt meter mapping have proven extremely useful in several unconventional gas reservoirs including the Barnett Shale, Devonian, N-Shale, and several CBM plays in North America. Data will be presented showing the utilization of these diagnostic tools.
  10:15   Morning Break
Landfill Gas and Hydrates – Chairs: Gerhard Pflug, TransCanada Pipelines; Ken Sinclair, Spirit Energy
  10:45   Gas Hydrates – Fuel of the Future? Kirk Osadetz, Geological Survey of Canada
  11:15   Landfill Gas – An Unconventional Gas Offering Unconventional Opportunities, Doug Heaton, Pyecombe Consulting Services
Innovative uses for landfill gas are being developed including power generation and production of LNG as a transportation fuel. These approaches can be enhanced through disposal of waste carbon dioxide into deep coal beds to produce additional methane for recycling back into the process. The sale of associated emission reduction credits and offsets could then improve process economics.
  11:45   Lunch Keynote Presentation – National Petroleum Council, Robert Howard, VP ChevronTexaco North American Upstream
New Technology for Unconventional Plays – Chairs: Wayne Finger, Schlumberger; Eric Schmelzl, Calver Resources
  13:00   The Successful Application of Non-Seismic Geophysics to the Direct Detection of Quaternary Gas and Coal Deposits, Paul Bauman, Komex International Ltd.
Since 1999, cost-effective, two-dimensional (2-D) geoelectrical imaging techniques have been very successfully applied to the exploration and exploitation of gas charged Quaternary channels present throughout Northwest Alberta. Since 1999, over 3,000 km of this type of data collection has been carried out in Northwestern Alberta, and over 1,000 km of these surveys have been carried out elsewhere in Alberta in search of a similar play concept. Due to the contrasting electrical properties of coal (very high resistivity), the same technique of direct hydrocarbon detection has been very successfully and routinely applied to coal exploration both in the foothills and in the plains.
  13:30   Geological Setting for Shallow Gas in Quaternary Sediments of Northern Alberta, John Pawlowicz, Alberta Geological Survey
Glaciofluvial channels in thick drift throughout Northern Alberta have been the target of recent shallow gas exploration. An overview of the glacial geology and drift sediments will be presented.
  14:00   Air Photo and Satellite Remote Sensing in Search of Subsurface Fracture Permeability Zones in the Western Sedimentary Basin, Lynden Penner, J.D. Mollard and Associates
 Air photo and satellite remote sensing studies reveal a recurring spatial correlation between surface lineaments and subsurface fracture and fault trends in the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin. A number of case studies illustrate these lineaments in different locations and demonstrate how they can be correlated with subsurface geological and geophysical data to help identify and assess regional subsurface fracture patterns, and to search for zones of higher permeability in oil and gas reservoirs.
  14:30   Afternoon Break
15:00 Tight Gas Plays in Northeastern British Columbia, Mark Hayes, B.C. Ministry of Energy and Mines 
Overview of the tight gas resource plays of NEBC. Tight gas reservoirs in British Columbia are characterized by sub-economic reservoir characteristics, commonly with permeabilities of less than 0.1 md. The reservoirs are widespread, but can be assigned to three geographic regions: 1) Deep Basin; 2) Foothills, and 3) Northern Plains.  
Regulatory and Legal Issues – Chairs: Paul Arnott, EOG Resources; Mike Dawson, Suncor
15:30 Discussion of Scientific Research and Experimental Development Tax Credit - Guidance Papers and Unconventional Gas and CBM, Sheryl Doke, Ernst & Young
Companies involved in unconventional oil and gas technologies such as coalbed methane may be eligible to claim the SR&ED tax credit and receive a cash payment or credit against taxes otherwise payable. Ernst & Young’s National SR&ED Tax Credit Team will summarize key information provided in many recent guidance papers. An interpretation of “shop floor R&D” and SR&ED rules will be presented as applicable to coalbed methane.
16:00 CBM Ownership Issues, Derek Brown, B.C. Ministry of Energy and Mines and Trish Steele, Gowling LaFleur Henderson LLP
CBM Ownership – a status report regarding title to crown and freehold mineral rights in British Columbia and Alberta, including private sales, and the position of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers and the Canadian Society for Unconventional Gas regarding provincial rules, regulations and policies governing CBM development.
16:30 Ice Breaker Reception

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Thursday
Oct. 23, 2003
Sponsored by Trident Exploration
08:00 Registration, continental breakfast, exhibit area opens
08:30 Introductions, Kin Chow, CDX Canada
CBM Project – Chairs: Thomas Gentzis, CDX Canada; Murray Rodgers, Trident Exploration
08:45 Geologic Characterization of Horseshoe Canyon Coal Seams in Alberta, Melany Hysert, MGV Energy
This presentation summarizes some of the major geologic reservoir characterization results of MGV Energy, Inc. (MGV) including the Horseshoe Canyon coal seam evaluation program in Alberta. MGV and its JV partners drilled over 180 exploration, pilot, and development wells from 2001-2003 and gathered extensive data. They encountered reasonably high gas rates and practically no water production from many of the exploration and pilot wells. MGV has ongoing exploration and pilot projects, as well as a producing development project in Gayford, Alberta.
09:15 Reservoir Characterization and Reserves Estimates of Horseshoe Canyon Coal Seams in Alberta, Peter Bastian, Quicksilver Resources
09:45 CBM Development in the Upper Mannville Coal Seams of Central Alberta – Comparisons to U.S. Production Models, Daniel Allan, APF Energy
10:15 Morning Break
CBM Technology Case Studies – Chairs: Paul Gagnon, Calver Resources; John Jensen, ConocoPhillips
10:30 CBM Reservoir Characterization Using Formation Micro-Imager, Array Induction Resistivity and Dipole Sonic Tools, Satyaki Ray, Schlumberger Canada Ltd.
Coalbed methane E&P and feasibility depends on geological controls, coal thickness, fracture occurrence and permeability. Coals of variable thicknesses in the foothills of B.C. and plains of Alberta were studied by Burlington and Schlumberger geologists and petrophysicists using outcrops, high resolution formation micro-images (FMI), array induction resistivity (AIT) and dipole sonic (DSI) logs. The experiences were encouraging and indicate that integrated interpretation of these advanced logging tools could provide clues towards fracture apertures, permeability typing, mechanical properties and stress anisotropy in coals and surrounding strata.
11:00 Improvement Process for Coalbed Methane Completion and Stimulation, Tom Olsen, Schlumberger Canada Ltd.
As much as 75% of the vast resources of natural gas is found in medium to low permeability coal seams. Historically recovery efficiencies from medium to low perm coal completions have been quite low compared to sandstone analogs. This presentation investigates some of the reasons for these recovery inefficiencies and provides some improvement processes that have the potential for significant improvements in the medium to low permeability coal seam recovery.
11:30 Optimizing Fracture Stimulation in a New Coalbed Methane Reservoir in Wyoming, Steve Wolhart, Pinnacle Technologies
This presentation covers the optimization of stimulation strategy for a new coalbed methane reservoir in Wyoming. A 16 well pilot project was conducted in the Copper Ridge field to assess development potential. Hydraulic fracture mapping (using treatment well tilt meters) and fracture engineering and modeling was performed to evaluate stimulation treatments in this field. These results are analyzed and recommendations are made for field development and fracture treatment optimization.
12:00 Networking Lunch – Entertainment provided by Don't Mind Us Comedy Troupe
Unconventional Operations and Economics – Chairs: Cameron Cline, EnCana; Rick Richardson, Alberta Geological Survey
13:00 Making Effective Use of Rod Pumping Systems in Coalbed Methane Applications, Anthony Crivello, eProduction Solutions Inc.
Rod pumping is a ubiquitous form of artificial lift and is well understood in the production community. It has not, however, been a practical choice to address the dynamic conditions exhibited by CBM wells until now. Conventional pump jacks, fitted with variable speed drives, have become an economical as well as practical solution for producing CBM wells.
13:30 Making the Economics Work for You – Managing Facility Costs, Randy Karran, Colt Engineering
The variable gas and water production rates from NGC wells necessitate different strategies with regard to facilities design and construction. The large number of producing wells introduces additional complexity to the design and construction. This additional complexity must be overcome and simplified if the facilities costs are to be minimized.
14:00 Under Balanced Foam Drilling – Production Optimization and Risk Mitigation for CBM Projects, Lee Campbell, Weatherford Canada
Laboratory analysis indicates high levels of formation damage occur with any overbalanced fluid while drilling coal seams. Through the study of the damage mechanisms associated with coal reservoirs, it is proposed that the use of foam in conjunction with horizontal UBD can reduce this formation impairment and significantly increase the PI of the well.
14:30 Afternoon Break
Economic Evaluation of CBM/NGC – Chairs: Bill Prescott, Perspective Consultants, Murray Rodgers, Trident Exploration
14:45 Booking Reserves – The Process and It's Application to Canadian Coalbed Methane Reservoirs, Michael Zuber, CDX Gas
15:15 Developing a Framework for Risk Assessment on NGC Plays in Western Canada, Mike Simpson, Nexen Inc.
Risk assessment is as important a factor in NGC evaluation as it is in conventional oil and gas project evaluation. But the factors for determining NGC risk are quite different from those employed in conventional oil and gas risking. A simple methodology for applying risk to NGC plays and prospects in the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin will be presented.
15:45 Production Based Probabilistic Economics for Unconventional Gas, John Seidle, Sproule Associates
Unconventional gas plays are often risky. To help understand the uncertainty inherent in these plays, probabilistic economics were generated using detailed production data to construct distributions for annual gas volumes and gas price histories to build price distributions. Monte Carlo simulations were employed to generate probabilistic economics. Examples are presented using production data from Raton coal gas and the Whiskey Buttes low permeability gas field (Frontier Formation) in conjunction with Henry Hub and CIG price distributions.
16:15 Ice Breaker Reception
17:00 Keynote Dinner and Speakers – Government speakers invited

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Friday
Oct. 24, 2003
Sponsored by EnCana and MGV Energy
08:00 Registration, Continental Breakfast, exhibit area opens
08:45 Introductions, Michael Gatens, MGV Energy
Morning Chairs: Eric Lloyd, PTAC, Phil Geiger, Spirit Energy
09:00 Overview of Unconventional Gas Development and Stakeholder Relations, Michael Gatens, Chairman, Canadian Society for Unconventional Gas (CSUG)
09:15 CBM Development in Alberta – An Environmental Perspective, Mary Griffiths, Pembina Institute for Appropriate Development
CBM wells affect land, water and air and thus those living adjacent to developments. Potential environmental impacts can be reduced by adopting best practices, but the cumulative impacts of many wells in an area also need to be addressed. Recommendations are made for the improved regulation of CBM wells.
9:45 Water: A Commodity or Resource? Glenn Pomeroy, Newfficient Resources Ltd.
10:15 Current Regulatory Framework for CBM Produced Water in British Columbia, Vic Levson, B.C. Energy and Mines
This paper presents an overview and update on some of the strategies the B.C. government is currently using to address issues relating to CBM produced water including development of a new code of practice for surface discharge to perennial streams or shallow aquifers. The development of strong positive links between government, industry and other stakeholders will help ensure success of the CBM industry in B.C.
10:45 Morning Break
11:00 Noise Regulations and Engineered Noise Control for Coalbed Methane Production, Mark Wagener, Noise Solutions Inc.
11:30 British Columbia Experiences in Community Responses to Coalbed Methane, Mary Coward, B.C. Ministry of Energy and Mines
British Columbia is in the early stages of coalbed gas development, but already is facing heightened concerns from communities. This presentation outlines the experiences in community consultations in various communities around the province.
12:00 Lunch Presentation – Neil McCrank, Chairman, Alberta Energy and Utilities Board
Afternoon Chairs: Denis Gaudet, PTAC; Mike Simpson, Nexen Inc.
13:30 Community Action Group Issues, Don Bester, Butte Action Committee
14:00 Alberta Government Consultative Process and Observations on CBM Development in Alberta, Larry Charach, Alberta Energy
The Department of Energy is leading a review and consultation process on Natural Gas in Coal (NGC) in Alberta. Larry Charach will provide an update on what is underway to ensure that NGC development continues to proceed in a responsible manner that considers environmental considerations, and landowner and industry issues. The presentation will highlight NGC development and results to date, the contrasts between the Alberta and U.S. developmental framework, and include an update on the consultation process and steps for the future.
14:30 Alberta Regulatory Requirements for a Typical CBM Project, Tom Byrnes, Alberta Energy and Utilities Board
15:00 Living the Philosophy - Community and Environment Practices in the Fort Assiniboine Joint Venture, Kevin Heffernan, Trident Explorations
The philosophy, approach and actions of the Joint Venture in the Fort Assiniboine area will be described. Through a case history description, the successes, challenges, and evolution of relationships provide a framework for project development in similar areas.
15:30 Lessons Learned, Vision Earned – Natural Gas from Coal and its Community, Frank Dabbs, National Public Relations
16:00 Closing Comments
16:15 Award Ceremony
Door Prize Draws
DISCLAIMER: The Canadian Society for Unconventional Gas and PTAC make no representation regarding ownership or quality of the conference materials.
For further information
please contact: 		Kerri Markle, PTAC
Technology Transfer Coordinator
phone: (403) 218-7711
fax: (403) 920-0054

www.ptac.org

Denis Gaudet, PTAC
Director, Technology Transfer
(403) 218-7710

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© 2003 PTAC